Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004169)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Research Associate for a CHIPS Funded Project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This role involves supporting a collaboration on thermoreflectance thermal property measurements and improving optical emission methods.

The ideal candidate will hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field and possess experience in thermal metrology and thin film characterization. Strong programming skills in MATLAB and a collaborative work ethic are essential. U.S. citizenship is preferred.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in relevant field.
• Experience with thermoreflectance-based measurement instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of thermal metrology and optics.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine pump-probe instrumentation.
• Measure thermal property data for stakeholders.
• Present and publish results as required.

Skills

Thermoreflectance measurement

Thermal analysis

Optics

Data modeling

Programming (MATLAB)

Collaborative work

Strong communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in physics, optics, materials science/engineering, or related field

Job description

PREP Research Associate – CHIPS Funded Project

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). The Research Associate will support a collaboration between NIST and an academic institution on thermoreflectance thermal property measurements. The role involves validating and improving optical pump–probe thermal‑property measurement methods, developing instrumentation, optimizing protocols, and providing thermal property data for thin‑film and multilayer materials. The researcher will work closely with NIST experts in optics, thermal metrology, scientific instrument design, and uncertainty analysis.

Research Title: Thermoreflectance Thermal Property Measurements (U.S. Citizens Preferred)

Responsibilities

• Designing, building, operating, and/or refining pump‑probe instrumentation
• Operating and developing physics‑based analysis software
• Measuring thermal property data for internal and external collaborators and stakeholders
• Depositing and characterizing thin films in the NIST NanoFab
• Presenting results at internal and/or external meetings as required
• Writing and publishing results

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, optics, materials science/engineering, or a related field
• Experience in designing, building, and operating thermoreflectance‑based measurement instrumentation
• Experience in thermal metrology, thermal analysis, and optics
• Experience in thin film deposition and thin film characterization
• Experience with data modeling and programming (MATLAB required)
• Expertise in semiconductor manufacturing processes and device failure analysis
• Experience working in cleanrooms
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Strong oral and written communication skills

U.S. citizenship is preferred.